Equestrian centre is ‘not get rich quick’ scheme

PLANS for an equestrian centre in Watlington have been approved, despite objections from residents.

Zagor FIC is to convert the farm buildings at Lys Farm in Howe Road to include stables and six shepherd huts.

The huts will be located in existing woodland to provide overnight visitor accommodation and surrounding agricultural land will be changed into horse paddocks and an infiltration pond.

To mitigate the changes, the developer is to create an extensive new woodland and plant hedgerows and other planting across the site.

But residents, the Oxfordshire countryside charity CPRE and Watlington Parish Council all objected to it.

Gill Bindoff, who chairs the parish council’s planning committee, told the district council at its meeting on Wednesday last week that the development would harm the character of the area.

She said: “The Watlington neighbourhood plan seeks to protect the countryside and has a policy that protects views of and from Watlington Hill. The hill is actually hugely popular for visitors. Thousands of people come every year, especially to enjoy the panoramic views.

“The parish council doesn’t think a sufficient weight has been given to national policy regarding development proposals in nationally important landscapes. The policy is that great weight should be given to conserving and enhancing landscapes and scenic beauty in protecting these very special areas.

“The officer’s report states that the paddock areas and proposed manège would be clearly visible in the elevated views and have the potential to harm the landscape and character of the area.”

Mrs Bindoff said the changes to the landscape would be visible from Watlington Hill and the surrounding rights of way.

She said: “The changes will transform what is now a peaceful unspoiled area into a landscape that is very busy that will be seen to be chopped up into different areas with people, horses, and horse boxes coming and going.

“The development is dependent on tree planting to reduce its impact but this would not avoid harm to the landscape for many years if at all.

“If this development goes ahead people coming to walk on Watlington Hill in a couple of years to enjoy the outstandingly beautiful views of the Chilterns will look down at the equestrian centre and especially the manège and wonder what on earth is that, and how ever did it get approved, what a crying shame.”

Roderick Orr, from Watlington, said the development is bordered by two nationally important paths, Icknield Way and Shakespeare's Way, which provide the public with “peace and tranquility” throughout the year and the scheme would harm this.

He added: “The proposed developments of removal of pasture would harm the land’s important ecosystems and food chains with threatened bird species living in the proposed development site which includes six red listed and six amber listed birds.”

Jo Turner, whose family has owned the barns and land for 25 years, said the proposal was suitable for the location.

She said: “I have a passion for horses. I have seen a gap in the market for people to bring their horses and stay in a wonderful location to ride the miles of bridleways. The business will employ local people this is not a get rich quick scheme.

“Unlike the obvious housing or industrial development opportunities that we could pursue, this is instead a new business enterprise. Something that is entirely suited to a rural context.

“Our overriding objective while running our business is to continue to be responsible countryside stewards.”

But Henley MP Freddie van Mierlo, who is also district councillor for Watlington, said the development would “stick out like a sore thumb” and and no planting would prevent this.

But Councillor James Norman disagreed. He said: “I think the visual impact has been overstated. You have to have pretty good eyesight from Watlington Hill to pick this out. I think this is exactly the kind of business which encourages visits of a sustainable nature.”

Councillor Ken Arlett agreed. He said: “Watlington Hill is a long way away, so unless you are going to take binoculars, you probably will not see a lot of this anyway. I applaud the applicant and what they are proposing to do.”

The committeee voted six votes in favour and one against.